JoAnne Midgett Woodbury, age 73, passed away gracefully on Dec. 16,2015 in Wilmington, N.C. She was born on Nov. 3, 1942, in Hatteras tothe late Anderson and Kathryn Midgett. After graduating CapeHatteras School in 1960, she attended East Carolina College, graduatingin 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. While incollege, she was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and theCrescent Girl of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
She married E. Max Woodbury on June 28, 1964. After college, shetaught Title I, reading, and eventually Middle School English inschools in Virginia Beach and Fairfax, Va., and Raleigh and Greensboro,N.C. She went on to receive her masters degree in reading atUNC-Greensboro.
JoAnne is survived by her husband of 51 years, Max, of Wilmington, hertwo children, daughter Kellie Woodbury of Wilmington and son MaxWoodbury II, his wife, Tali, and their children Noah, Levi and Opal ofPortland, Ore., sisters Susie Austin of Buxton, MaryDawn Judy ofChocowinity, N.C., Andrea Kobylinski and husband Jim, of Hatteras,Debby Willis and husband Amos of Buxton, and her godchild, AnnaFletcher of Buxton as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
JoAnne retired after 32 years of teaching. Once retired, she remainedquite active, doing yoga daily and volunteering at various art museumsand libraries. She was an avid reader, participating in biblestudy and book club. JoAnne shared her love of reading with hergrandchildren, exploring book stores and cuddling in bed with them anda good book. JoAnne enjoyed spending time working in her gardenand watching the birds at her bird feeder.
A memorial service will be held at Wrightsville United Methodist Churchon Saturday, Dec. 19 at 11 a/m. In lieu of flowers, please considerdonating to she-rocks.org.
